States Lead Clean Energy Development Through Innovative Programs According to New Report

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015 - NewsMaker

Comprehensive Study Shows the Importance of Innovative State
Policies and Programs, Coupled With Federal Support

MONTPELIER, VT -- (Marketwired) -- Jun 22,
2015 -- The
Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA), a national, nonprofit
coalition of state agencies and other public organizations working
together to advance clean energy, is proud to announce the release
of its latest report, Clean Energy Champions: The Importance of
State Programs and Policies. The report provides the first-ever
comprehensive look at the ways in which states are supporting clean
energy as well as offers suggestions on how to further encourage
growth.

Clean Energy Champions describes the many important ways that
states across the nation are supporting clean energy generation and
markets. It highlights 31 case studies from 22 states, covering a
variety of state programs such as renewable portfolio standards,
rebates for purchasing solar panels, and wind energy tax credits,
as well as lesser-known policy tools to build necessary
infrastructure, grow small businesses, and protect consumers. These
initiatives have come from states in all parts of the country, from
states large and small, urban and rural, and from those with solid
Republican majorities as well as those with solid Democratic
majorities.

"Over the past decade and a half, states across the country have
implemented innovative policies that have achieved significant,
measurable results," said Warren Leon, Executive Director of CESA.
"This report clearly outlines how renewable energy production has
far surpassed expectations and created a thriving clean energy
sector. We must sustain this momentum by supporting various
initiatives at the state level, working in tandem with federal
agencies, and advancing clean energy with continued bipartisan
support."

In examining the state's role in clean energy development over
the past 15 years, the report identifies seven lessons to consider
for the continued growth of clean energy into the future. Those
lessons cover the following:

The significance of state experimentation and the ways states
can continue to innovate to move the clean energy sector
forward

The need for the states to strengthen their existing consumer
protection role regarding clean energy technologies

The approach states should take when modifying distributed
generation policies

The value of continuing to address clean energy policy in a
non-partisan manner

The specific research analysis the federal government should
undertake to assist the states

The role of federal tax incentives in leveraging state
initiatives for clean energy market growth

The importance of structuring EPA's Clean Power Plan in ways
that support existing state clean energy initiatives.

Key areas where state activity has made significant progress to
overcome market barriers identified in the report are:

Developing the Clean Energy Supply: In 2014, wind and
solar energy production far surpassed the projections the U.S.
Energy Information Administration (EIA) had made in 2000 for the
2015 electricity supply. State policies and programs such as the
rapid adoption of state renewable portfolio standards, which
require electricity suppliers to get an increasing share of their
electricity from clean energy, is one of the most significant
contributors to this unexpected growth.

Overcoming Barriers by Building the Infrastructure for Clean
Energy Growth: From supporting the development of physical
infrastructure such as electricity transmission lines to
streamlining long-established administrative processes,
strengthening necessary financial infrastructure, and developing
organizations for better collaboration, states have made necessary
improvements to overcome daunting barriers to clean energy
growth.

Building a Vibrant Clean Energy Industry: In addition to
common forms of assistance offered to most businesses, states
across the country pursue a variety of strategies specifically to
help clean energy businesses grow. For instance, states encourage
universities and research labs to collaborate with the private
sector and test emerging technologies. Clean energy start-ups also
receive support through state-supported incubators that offer
assistance to overcome challenges facing a new business.

Protecting and Including Consumers: In the absence of
official national standards, state agencies have collectively
established informal, de facto national standards for clean energy
equipment and system installers to protect the interests of
consumers. Consumer protection measures ensure that buyers are
getting the information they need to make sound purchasing
decisions and that vendors, contractors, and installers are
qualified to perform the work.

About CESAThe Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is
a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and
organizations working together to advance clean energy. CESA
members -- mostly state agencies -- include many of the most
innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean
energy initiatives in the country.

CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry
representatives, and other stakeholders to develop and promote
clean energy technologies and markets. It supports effective state
and local policies, programs, and innovation in the clean energy
sector, with an emphasis on renewable energy generation, financing
strategies, and economic development. CESA facilitates information
sharing, provides technical assistance, coordinates multi-state
collaborative projects, and communicates the views and achievements
of its members. For more information on CESA, please visit
www.cesa.org.

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